Beauty contest banned
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, October 26 2012: Beauty contests have been banned in Manipur.

In what could be termed as a shocking news to organizers and contestants of "Miss Manipur" and other "beauty contest", frontal women organization of the State including the influential Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Lup, Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), Women for Civic Action Kangleipak (WACAK), Kanglei Women Society, Nupi Samaj, Macha Leima and several others have imposed restriction in organizing "Miss Manipur" and other "beauty contest" in the state indefinitely.

The restriction also include to those "beauty contest" held at various community, village and district levels.

Announcing this during a press meet held at Manipur Press Club today, S.Ibetombi, president of WACAK stated that there have been many instances like scandals, fights, controversies and other unwanted incidents occurred during many beauty pageants saying that such kind of incidents had tarnished the image and culture of Manipur.

She further said that the people of the State have gained nothing from all those 'beauty contests" and questioned the motives and goals in holding such kind of beauty-showcase programmes while calling organizers and contestants of various beauty shows as not mature enough to organize and participate in the programmes.

Justifying their decision of banning the beauty contests in Manipur S Ibetombi said, "Miss contests should not be organised in the pretext of promoting 'world peace' .

It is just an event driven by some vested interest persons.

Such programmes are only based on commercial purposes.

It is an attempt to equate women with commodities.

Let other States and countries showcase it, but here, we definitely do not endorse it" .

S.Ibetombi, on the behalf of the different women organizations of the state also informed that they would be keeping a strict eye on those women's boutiques and cloths designed by those transgsenders adding that they have come across certain designs which is not suited to the women of the state and further urged the different communities of the state not to include "beauty contest" in their respective traditional and cultural shows and programmes.

Comment